What is Coco-Zen?

Coco-Zen is a state of nirvana achieved by surrendering to the taste and aroma
of luscious, rich chocolate.

It's knowing that you are helping our planet and its people,
because all of our treats are handmade from organic and Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate.

A state of ecstasy, peace and harmony, Coco-Zen is oneness with chocolate.

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Planet & People Friendly Tip: Spring Cleaning? Donate Your Unwanted Stuff!


dust panWith spring right around the corner, it's time to clear out the clutter. If you're a "pack rat" like us, you've probably got things laying around or tucked away that you haven't touched in years. Well, instead of throwing them away, consider recycling or donating your items...surely there's someone out there who can get some use out of your stuff!

Here's a list of different ways to donate or recycle just about everything:

Art supplies:
Donate to schools, churches and day cares for use in student art projects.

Packing peanuts: Take them to shipping stores (Mailboxes Etc., UPS), who will gladly take them off your hands.

Books: Donate them to the library for used book sales. Sell or offer them on resale and community sites.
  • Amazon.com
  • Ebay.com
  • Half.com
  • Craigslist.org
  • Freecycle.org

  • Building Materials:
    Check and see if there is a Habitat For Humanity ReStore in your local area, so people like me can buy your excess/used stuff and the money goes to Habitat.

    Cellphones & Ink Cartridges:
    Usable cellphones can usually be donated to women's shelters to be programmed for 911 calls. Ink cartridges and old cellphones can go to some retailers for recycling, or you can put them to even better use by donating them to a program like Cure Recycling, which helps cure childhood cancer.

    Clothing: Along with the usual suspects of Goodwill and the Salvation Army, you might want to consider something like Dress For Success, which assists low-income women looking for employment.

    Computers:
    Schools will oftentimes take used computers, just be sure to call them first. If your local schools don't want yours, try the National Cristina Foundation or Goodwill.

    Food: Canned goods (say you bought too much) can be donated to homeless shelters or food banks as long as the expiration date has not passed.

    Formal Dresses (Prom, Wedding): You'll probably never wear these again. Donate them and let help out a young lady or bride-to-be that maybe can't afford one.
  • Glass Slipper Project
  • Prom Spot
  • Donate My Dress
  • Making Memories

  • Furniture: Try local shelters, disabled veterans associations, The Red Cross, the AARP, or local churches.

    Magazines: Instead of your latest copy getting a single read and heading straight for the recycling bin, see if you can give them to schools, hospitals, senior citizen homes, jails, YMCAs, libraries, or local coffee shops.

    Prescription or Sun Glasses: These can be expensive! Help out someone who maybe cannot afford them by donating.
  • OneSight.org
  • LensCrafters
  • Lion's Club (local chapter)

  • Shoes:
    Approximately 300 million kids around the world don't have shoes, so don't let your slightly used ones go to the dump - donate them!
  • Soles4Souls
  • Shoe4Africa
  • The Shoe Bank

  • Sports Equipment: Your kids stopped playing soccer years ago, so why keep their stuff in the garage getting moldy? Instead, donate your sports equipment to Sports Gift.

    Wire Clothes Hangers: Give to local dry cleaners for reuse.


    Here are even more ways of donating or recycling your unwanted stuff:
    • Excess Access - They link donations of business and household items with the wish-lists of nearby nonprofits that can provide pick-ups or accept drop-offs.
    • Dump & Run - They desire to reduce the amount of waste generated at Colleges and Universities by extending the useful life of items no longer needed by the student community at years end.
    • Recycle.net - Established to promote the trade of scrap & waste materials
    • Throwplace.com - A site where users may list goods they wish to give away to others. Charities, Businesses or Individuals that are registered are able to search the site and make requests for items of interest.

    Giving credit where credit is due... We came across this list on one of our favorite blogs - The Good Human. To read the original article, click on the link - Where To Donate All Your Unwanted Stuff.

    3 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    Tried the Signature Sampler of your Truffles To Go @ an open house for Eco-Posh Events in Troy, MI and your chocolate is absolutely divine!

    Coco-Zen said...

    Thanks Kanette for the shout out! :)

    Coco-Zen said...
    This comment has been removed by the author.